Story Summary
Löwen Frankfurt suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat away to Pinguins Bremerhaven in the sixth round of the DEL season, despite recovering from an early setback and applying sustained pressure later in the game.
Nino Kinder gave Bremerhaven the lead after just 31 seconds. Frankfurt netminder Adam Scheel stopped Kinder’s initial attempt, but the rebound fell forward and Kinder continued to the goal line before putting the puck in himself.
Frankfurt grew into the contest after the early goal and found their equaliser in the 33rd minute through Cameron Brace. The forward began the move, combined with Markus Schweiger and received the puck back before sliding it through Kristers Gudlevskis’ pads.
The parity did not last. Akito Hirose restored Bremerhaven’s lead 1:51 later, and that goal stood as the winner. Frankfurt pressed hard in the third period, including a late six-skater push after head coach Tom Pokel withdrew Scheel, but could not force a second equaliser.
Key Facts
- Nino Kinder scored after 31 seconds to put Bremerhaven ahead.
- Cameron Brace equalised for Frankfurt in the 33rd minute after a passing move involving Markus Schweiger.
- Akito Hirose scored Bremerhaven’s winning goal 1:51 after Brace’s equaliser.
- Frankfurt had a power play in the 43rd minute but did not convert it.
- Tom Pokel called a timeout with 1:35 remaining before Adam Scheel was replaced by a sixth skater.
- Michael Joyaux narrowly missed the target with a final Frankfurt attempt shortly before the buzzer.
- It was Bremerhaven’s second win over Frankfurt in their last three meetings.
IHM Discussion
The match turned on Frankfurt’s ability to recover from the opening 31-second blow, and then on Bremerhaven’s response when that recovery finally produced a goal. Frankfurt had absorbed an energetic home start and gradually generated more of the play, but the key sequence came after Brace’s equaliser. Hirose’s goal, less than two minutes later, meant Bremerhaven did not have to defend a level game for long.
Frankfurt’s third-period approach was clear from the pressure around Gudlevskis’ net and the eventual decision to empty their goal for an extra skater. The visitors also had to manage a spell short-handed after failing to take their own power-play opportunity. They handled that penalty kill, yet Bremerhaven’s one-goal margin survived the closing rush.
Gudlevskis was tested repeatedly as Frankfurt took increasing initiative during the second period. Earlier, Scheel had been beaten only after stopping Kinder’s first shot, while Bremerhaven also had chances to extend their first-period lead. C.J. Smith was unable to control the puck at the right post in the 14th minute, and Robin Van Calster was denied at the other end.
Why It Matters
For Frankfurt, the result underlines the fine margins in a road game where the side recovered well but could not build on its equaliser. Brace’s goal was the reward for a stronger second period, while the late pressure showed that Frankfurt remained in contention until the final horn.
Bremerhaven, meanwhile, converted their fast start into another narrow result against the Löwen. Kinder supplied the early breakthrough and Hirose delivered the decisive reply at the most important moment of the game. Frankfurt’s inability to score on the power play or during its late extra-attacker phase left those two Bremerhaven goals enough to decide the contest.
Mini Q&A
Who scored in Bremerhaven’s 2-1 win over Frankfurt?
Nino Kinder and Akito Hirose scored for Pinguins Bremerhaven, while Cameron Brace scored Frankfurt’s goal.
How did Frankfurt’s equaliser develop?
Cameron Brace started the attack, played through Markus Schweiger and then received the puck back before scoring through Kristers Gudlevskis’ pads in the 33rd minute.
What is Frankfurt’s next stated fixture?
Frankfurt are due to host a promoted side on Thursday.
What Comes Next
Frankfurt’s next stated fixture is a home game on Thursday against a promoted side.
IHM Final View
Frankfurt’s performance offered more than the final score alone suggests: they recovered from an immediate deficit, found a route past Gudlevskis and drove the late play in Bremerhaven’s zone. The Löwen leave with a 2-1 loss after a committed away display, while Bremerhaven held firm when the pressure was at its greatest.